BRC Student Club Adopts the Glen Burney Trail in Blowing Rock

Have you ever hiked the Glen Burney Trail in Blowing Rock? Local residents describe it as a hidden gem near downtown. The 3.2-mile roundtrip cascade trail along New Year’s Creek has been used by locals and tourists since the late 1800s. There are three sets of falls along the trail including the Cascades, Glen Burney Falls, and Glen Marie Falls.

In November 2012, Blue Ridge Conservancy member and avid hiker Lance Campbell approached Blue Ridge Conservancy about adopting the Glen Burney Trail. His vision included basic trail maintenance such as raking, trimming, picking up litter, and repairing or replacing trail signs. Adopting the Glen Burney Trail seemed like a perfect project for the newly formed ASU Blue Ridge Conservancy Student Club. After the club agreed to take on the project, the next step was approval from the Town of Blowing Rock, which was granted in early January 2013.

After meeting with Jennifer Brown, Director of the Blowing Rock Parks and Recreation Department, the BRC Student Club and Blue Ridge Conservancy have a clear direction for the trail’s future. The Student Club will begin organizing volunteer trail maintenance days this spring.

Want to check it out?
The trail head is located at Annie Cannon Gardens on Laurel Lane, Blowing Rock.